Beer: Reviews & Ratings

Bottle bought at the brewery and schlepped back while on vacation with the family. Pours a deep reddish shoe leather color with a small smattering of tiny bubbles that disappear almost instantly. Not a good sign this might be lacking some carbonation. Smell is sweet and malty. Dark dried fruits mixed with toffee and brown sugar and a hint of ethanol. Apricots, prunes, cherries, plums coated in brown sugar. Taste is sweet like I expected. Dark fruits and sugar syrup mixed with a hint of alcohol. The light level of carbonation makes this feel syrupy and probably a bit sweeter than it is. Medium to thick body with a slightly drying finish. I thought this tasted and smelled pretty good, but was a little less than complex. More bubbles and more character malts would have made this a great brew. (801 characters)

A-pours a dark reddish amber with an off white head with decent retentionS-caramel, toffee, biscuit, plumT-caramel, molasses, and plums, low hop bitternessM-full bodied low carbonationO-A little on the sweet side but a very complex beer with alot of flavor. One of the more interesting beers from cbc (304 characters)

The beer pours a beautiful amber color with a thick frothy off-white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a warm pale and crystal malt scent. It's not overly aromatic, but it does have a solid malt aroma, but it does lack a pronounced hop character. The taste is decent. It has a smooth, yet simplistic malt flavor that goes down easy and finishes warm with little bitterness or yeast esters. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is drinkable strong ale. It isn't overly complex, but it's quite enjoyable. (571 characters)

this beer pours a crystal clear reddish amber color with a small off white head that fades to lacing rather quickly. the aroma sports a big malt profile, the sweetness and caramel combining nicely with a slightly fruity smell. the taste follows with lots of malt up front, sweet and bready, with a bit of hop bitterness at the end, the alcohol is slightly noticeable, but not overstated. the etoh warmth and full body backed by good co2 make this a fairly drinkable strong ale. (477 characters)

A: A medium amber with very good clarity. The off-white head forms a thin film on tops of the beer with a ring of rock foam around the side.

S: Fairly malty with a moderate caramel and sweet malt aroma. There is a moderate alcohol aroma that is just a touch solventy smelling. Very light citrus hops aroma and some light dried dark fruit notes.

T: The initial sip is a little harsh with the alcohol, caramel and moderate hops bitterness. The flavor come together on the the next sip with big malty flavors and a moderate amount of sweetness. The is a very light citrus hops flavor and moderately-low prune and raisin flavors. The alcohol still colors ever sips. The balance is somewhat sweet with the finish being a little sweet as well even though the hops bitterness is there keeping it in check. The aftertaste is caramel and a light lingering bitterness. A light diacetyl which is appropriate for the style.

M: Medium-full bodied with moderately-high carbonation. There is a little slickness on the palate and plenty of warming all the way down the throat.

O: I like this interpretation of the Old Ale, it got some hops bitterness and good malt character. It would definitely improve with some aging, I probably only purchased this a few weeks back. It like Ruination with a moderate hops bitterness instead of the absurdly strong bitterness. A little bit too much carbonation that become a little prickly. (1,417 characters)

Nose is sweet and rich, with an earthy, nutty malt. Pretty much right on cue for an Old Ale. Smells a bit like soggy Cocoa Krispies, very cereal-esque.

Tastes about the same as the aroma with an extra little bump in fruitiness. Malts are chocolaty and kind of dusty...in a good way. Alcohol is well hidden and it has a soft, smooth mouthfeel. This is a damn good beer and I think it is a good representation of the style. (565 characters)